"Herbert, Frank - Man of Two Worlds (CA by Frank Herbert)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Herbert Brian & Frank)

The shock of the voice and the final merging with an essential mass of Earther flesh jolted him.

I must hide!

Using Earther-cell data, Ryll assumed the appearance and clothing of Lutt Hanson, Jr. A facsimile Earther took shape on the shattered deck, complete with clear-lensed, round-framed eyeglasses -- no need to match originals. Ryll's eyes in a new olive shade stared out of Earther-shaped flesh. The meticulously copied face was blocky and soft: thin red-brown hair, a high forehead and a raised blood vessel like a tiny medusa serpent on the left temple. With desperate cunning, he appropriated a nametag from the Earther's ragged tunic and pushed discarded flesh into contact with the dead companion.

The intrusive voices were much louder, metal slamming against metal. Once more, the amplified voice boomed out.

"Fuel rupture! All personnel except emergency volunteers evacuate the damage area!"

Metal crashed to the deck behind Ryll. Heavy footsteps clumped to his side. An armored hand came into view and a brown faceplate with helmet lowered close to Ryll's face.

"Hey! This one's alive!"

"Move him!"

That was the amplified voice of command.

Memories and motivations from Lutt Hanson, Jr., seeped like tendrils bleeding across nerve contacts into Ryll's awareness. What an odd creature, this Earther. There were visions of a wealthy family rife with disputes and intrigues -- this Lutt Junior active in many ways, coordinating and plotting to fulfill his single, driving ambition . . .

"A dead one here!"

That was the voice of the one who had come into Ryll's view.

"Part of the body's melted away! Yeccch!"

"Leave it and bring the survivor! This place could blow any second!"

The amplified voice of command again.

Ryll felt something being slipped under his body -- a thin fabric with stiffeners. Two armored Earthers lifted him and carried him through the hole torn in the bulkhead.

Ryll closed his eyes and experienced a deep sense of gratitude at being rescued, even though it was by creatures produced in Dreen idmages. Survival dominated his reactions now and an immediate problem required attention.

Lutt Hanson, Jr., was becoming aware of the merging.

Who are you? How did you get into my mind?

It was a soundless voice but it roared in Ryll's awareness.

What are you doing to me? Get out! Get out!

Ryll formed a responsive thought, trying to make it as soothing as possible. But overtones of panic were unavoidable.

I can't get out. That would kill both of us.

The human responded with more panic and tried to take control of their mutual body.

This is my body and I want you out of it!